Plaster crown molding system for indirect lighting

ABSTRACT

A plaster crown molding tile has an upright body portion providing a front decorative surface and, in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface. Integral with the body portion, a topper portion extends angularly upwardly. The wall-engaging surface provides spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs. Peaks of the ribs define a first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves define a second selected depth relative to the horizontal strips. These surface features enable the tile to be more easily shaved to a desired depth for custom fitting the tile for improved butt seams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to crown molding and indirect lighting systems and more particularly to a plaster molding adapted for indirect lighting and a method for installation.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The following art defines the present state of this field:

[0005] Minidis, U.S. D424,709 describes a cove base design.

[0006] Roberts, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,975 describes an indirect lighting assembly consisting of a housing structure and low voltage light tubing for retention therein, said housing structure being a unitarily extruded body having an anchor tab portion extending perpendicularly into a spacer portion and terminating in a light tube housing portion having an open area directing light generally perpendicular to the plane of said spacer portion.

[0007] Azzar et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,886 describes an extruded, thermoplastic baseboard elastomeric molding strip having opposed generally flat front and rear surfaces is provided with a plurality of closely vertically, spaced horizontal, parallel ribs projecting outwardly of the flat front surface over the full surface area thereof. The strip is formed of front and rear surface layers of thermoplastic material of the same durometer hardness with the front surface layer forming at least the tips of the front surface ribs being of a low density thermoplastic material and the balance of the strip being of high density thermoplastic material. The front and rear surface layers may be of contrasting colors. The rear surface of the strip is preferably formed with concave grooves separated by a multiplicity of fine, vertically spaced horizontal, parallel rearwardly projecting ribs with a rear, center rib between adjacent fine ribs, of a larger diameter than adjacent fine ribs separating the rear surface grooves. The rear surface configuration facilitates removing of excess wet adhesive and maintenance of flush adhesive mounting of the molding strip to a building vertical wall.

[0008] Logan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,923 describes a decorative molding for a corner formed by a ceiling and a vertical wall comprising a thin strip of flexible plastic and is secured to the wall by an attachment allowing the molding strip along its upper and lower edges to be flexible to conform with uneven surfaces in the ceiling and/or wall. In one form the strip is attached to the wall by an adhesive. In another form, a wall track and clip arrangement is utilized to provide easy removal from the wall for paint or wallpaper application. A corner element is provided in one form in which ends of the strips are adhesively secured thereto in overlapping engagement. In another embodiment, the strips are telescopically connected to the corner element.

[0009] Pelosi, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,431 describes a fabricated structural beam including at least one longitudinally folded member having a web portion and a head portion. In different embodiments, a plurality of folded members may be interleaved with one another to provide configurations of varying load carrying capabilities. In all cases, the folded head portion is made rigid by forming it into a tube that is closed on all sides.

[0010] Brabant, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,224 describes an architectural molding assembly comprising of straight molding pieces having a decorative outer surface and a channel in the rear surface thereof. A wall attaching plate is slidingly secured in the channel and has a slot or an aperture therein to engage with a fastener which is secured to a wall. The fastener may be in the form of a screw or a clamp having a projecting finger. When the attaching plates are engaged by the fasteners they are urged against the wall and maintained there under tension. No nail is inserted in the molding and molding connecting pieces and accordingly the assembly can be easily dismantled and remounted when desired.

[0011] Brooks, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,655 describes a decorative lighting trim system comprising an assemblage of architectural moldings having a viewable surface which is structured to simulate an architectural trim or molding. The architectural molding is configured to retain lights, and to retain and conceal interconnecting electrical wiring to electrify the lights, in a manner which permits the attachment of the architectural moldings to a building surface. Because the architectural moldings are constructed to appear like conventional trims or moldings, the lighting system is virtually inconspicuous when attached to a house, building or other architectural structure, such as a fence or garage. The architectural moldings are in modular sections having varying selected lengths which allow the user to select the appropriate number and length of modular sections to extend along a given building surface, such as an eave, gable or window. The modular architectural molding assemblage is designed to be affixed relatively permanently to a building to eliminate the need for yearly seasonal hanging of lighting trim.

[0012] The prior art teaches the use of artistic moldings with indirect lighting, but does not teach a plaster crown molding capable of receiving an indirect lighting system and adapted for non-planar surface mounting. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0014] Plaster crown molding tiles of the present invention are mounted to wall surfaces within rooms and placed so that the topper portions are spaced downwardly apart from a ceiling surface leaving a space for indirect lighting effects. The general shape of the tiles provides a space between the topper portions and the wall surface for installing a means for indirect lighting. The mounting surfaces are typically non-planar, and may have rough surface textures. This presents a problem in mounting as the tiles are placed using a commercial adhesive or nails as is well known in the art. Spotty surface roughness can cause adjacent tiles to form a misalignment at butt joint seams, which presents a poor appearance, i.e., one tile juts out from the wall surface slightly more than its neighbor tile. To address this problem, tiles are usually shaved down on the back, or mounting surface side and this takes time and creates dust. The present invention, as described below, improves on this situation by providing an inventive rear surface.

[0015] A plaster crown molding tiles provide an upright body portion having a front decorative surface and, in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface. Integral with the body portion, a topper portion extends angularly upwardly therefrom. The wall-engaging surface provides spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs. Peaks of the ribs define a first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves define a second selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, wherein, the second selected depth is of greater magnitude than the first selected depth.

[0016] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0017] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of being more easily fitted to non-planar surfaces.

[0018] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of being fitted to inside and outside corners with improved butt joints.

[0019] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capable of providing improved space for indirect lighting equipment installations.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIGS. 2-4 are side elevational views thereof as formed, partially smoothed and fully smoothed respectively;

[0024]FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing construction of an inside corner thereof; and

[0025]FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing construction of an outside corner thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

[0027] The present invention is a plaster crown molding apparatus and system. Now referring to FIG. 1, each piece, referred to herein as tiles, of the system, comprises an upright body portion 10 providing a front decorative surface 20 and, in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface 30. Integral with the body portion 10 is a topper portion 40 extending angularly upwardly and away from the surface 30. This wall-engaging surface 30 provides spaced-apart, horizontally oriented, planar strips 32 and between the strips 32, plural grooves 34 are spaced apart by ribs 36. Peaks 37 of the ribs 36 define a first selected depth d1(typically 2 mm) relative to the horizontal strips 32, and valleys 35 of the grooves 34 define a second selected depth d2 (typically 4 mm) relative to the horizontal strips 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the second selected depth d2 is of greater magnitude than the first selected depth d1. The present invention provides a visual means to determine the depth of shaving of the rear surface 30 which, depends on the roughness of the mounting surface 5 and also on is shape. Many walls are cupped or bowed to some degree (non-planar) so that tiles of a consistent thickness do not form even butt joint seams. This is not acceptable in a quality installation and much time is spent on fitting and matching joints. FIG. 3 shows a shaved rear surface 30 to depth d1, and FIG. 4 shows a shaved rear surface to depth d2. The advantage here is that the mechanic has a visual means to determine depth of shaving so that all tiles are shaved in a consistent manner and frontal seam matching is more easily achieved. A further benefit is that less dust is produced since the a majority of the rear surface 30 need not be shaved to produce the required tile thickness. As shown in FIG. 2 a central planar horizontally oriented strip 38 may be placed at the first selected depth and this strip provides stability and added strength to the tile.

[0028]FIGS. 5 and 6 show an inside corner plaster crown molding system comprising plural linear tiles 50 placed adjacent to an inside corner 6 of a wall structure and these tiles are spaced apart. An inside corner tile 60 is adapted by its shape and size for engaging the plural linear tiles 50 in a contiguous and unbroken form wherein each of the tiles 50, 60 provides the front decorative surface 20 and, in opposition thereto, the rear wall-engaging surface 30 as described above. An indirect lighting strip 70 is laid down in area “A” of FIG. 2, between the wall surface 5 and the topper portions 40 of the tiles 50, 60 for directing light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions 40.

[0029]FIGS. 7 and 8 show an outside corner plaster crown molding system which functions similarly to the system of FIGS. 5 and 6. In this case, the matching of the abutting tiles is even more important since the seams are more subject to scrutiny. Here, the system provides plural linear tiles 50 placed adjacent to an outside corner 7 of a wall structure and spaced apart. An outside corner tile 7 is adapted for engaging the plural linear tiles 50, as best seen in FIG. 8, in a contiguous and unbroken form. As above, the indirect lighting strip 70 is laid between the wall 5 and the topper portions 40 of the tiles 50, 65 for directing light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions 40. In the illustrations of FIGS. 5-8, the lighting means 70 is a flexible transparent tube, such as might be made of a soft plastic, and a series of lamps installed within the tube and interconnected by current carrying lines as is well known in the art. Electrical connections to such a lighting system will be made by those of skill in the electrical mechanics art without difficulty.

[0030] While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A plaster crown molding apparatus comprising: an upright body portion providing a front decorative surface and, in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface; and integral with the body portion, a topper portion extending angularly upwardly therefrom for providing a space for a lighting means, the wall-engaging surface providing spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs; peaks of the ribs defining a first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves defining a second selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, the second selected depth of greater magnitude than the first selected depth.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a central planar horizontally oriented strip placed at the first selected depth.
 3. An inside corner plaster crown molding system comprising: plural linear tiles placed adjacent to an inside corner of a wall structure and spaced apart; an inside corner tile adapted for engaging the plural linear tiles in a contiguous and unbroken form; wherein each of the tiles provides a front decorative surface and, in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface; and integral with the body portion, a topper portion extending angularly upwardly therefrom, the wall-engaging surface providing spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs; peaks of the ribs defining a first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves defining a second selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, the second selected depth of greater magnitude than the first selected depth; and an indirect lighting strip laid between the wall and the topper portions of the tiles for directing light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions.
 4. An outside corner plaster crown molding system comprising: plural linear tiles placed adjacent to an outside corner of a wall structure and spaced apart; an outside corner tile adapted for engaging the plural linear tiles in a contiguous and unbroken form; wherein each of the tiles provides a front decorative surface and, in opposition thereto, a rear wall-engaging surface; and integral with the body portion, a topper portion extending angularly upwardly therefrom, the wall-engaging surface providing spaced apart horizontally oriented planar strips and between the strips plural grooves spaced apart by ribs; peaks of the ribs defining a first selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, and valleys of the grooves defining a second selected depth relative to the horizontal strips, the second selected depth of greater magnitude than the first selected depth; and an indirect lighting strip laid between the wall and the topper portions of the tiles for directing light upwardly in concealment by the topper portions. 